Murshidabad is place of Nawabs and Azimganj- Jiaganj are towns in Murshidabad district situated in two sides of Bhagirathi (Ganga) river in West Bengal state of India.
Jain society of Azimganj- Jiaganj and Murshidabad is predominantly referred as Shaharwali. Shaharwali society have very rich tradition and culture.
Jyoti Kothari

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Thursday, August 6, 2009

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Shaharwali and Johari Sath are the oldest Rajasthani Jain communities migrated to Bengal. Connection and co-operation between these two oldest communities are obvious.

Few interesting features:

1. Shaharwali community is the oldest to come in Bengal and Johari Sath followed them.
however, Johari Sath had come to Kolkata first and Shaharwali community afterward.

2. Shaharwali community had influence overNawabs of Murshidabadbut Johari Sath had it
over Nawab of Avadh andBritish rulers.

3. Shaharwali community worked as Bankers and traders initially and then switched over to
Zemindari but Johari Sath were in Gems and Jewelry businessonly.

4. Shaharwali community is comprised ofOswal Jain clan but only one Shrimal family where
asJohari Sathis dominated by Shrimal clan of Jain.

5. Shaharwali community came directly from Rajasthan but Johari Sath people came mainly
via UP and Delhi.

6. Management of Sammet ShikharTirth always remained with Shaharwali community whereas that of Rajagriha remained with Johari Sath. Pawapuriis managed jointly by both
the communities. However, Rai Badridas Bahadoor Mookim contributed a lot to Sammet
Shikhar Tirth.
He built Parasnath Toonkon the top of the hills and played major role in buying Parasnath hills on behalf of Shwetambar Jain community represented by Anandji Kalyanji Pedhi. He also influenced the then Viceroy and Governor General of British India in stopping order of
establishing a slaughter house in the sacred Jain Tirth.

7. Shaharwali society have always taken active part in politics but Johari Sath never. Shaharwali
community have many MP, MLA, MLCs and even Deputy Chief Minister of West Bengal but Johari Sath have none.

8. Rai Badridas Bahadoor Mookim of Johri Sath founded Bengal National Chamber of Commerce But he handed over it to Rai Dhanpat Singh Bahadoor Dugar of Shaharwali Community and he
adorned the chair.

9.Sayaji Conferences of Jain were organized by Maharaja Baroda. Many times Shaharwali community and Johari Sath had shared the key posts of Presidents and Secretaries of those conferences. Once, that I know, Rai Budh Singh Dudhoria of Bari Kothi, Azimganj was in the Chair and Rai Badridas Bahadoor Mookim was handling the matters as Secretary.

About Me

Jyoti Kothari is proprietor, Vardhaman Gems, a leading Gem and Jewelry manufacturers and traders having Head office in Jaipur and operating in Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai. Vardhaman Gems (http://vardhamangems.com) have global client base. Business and franchisee inquiries solicited.
He is senior adviser to Vardhaman Infotech (www.vardhamaninfotech.com/), a mobile applications and eCommerce website development firm in Jaipur.
Jyoti Kothari is also a Quality Management System (ISO 9000) Trainer, Consultant and Lead Auditor.
He is Educationist, writer, Social worker and Philanthropist.